Justin Espinosa secured his first Tour win since 2020, going undefeated at the fourth stop on the 2022 Poison Lone Star Billiards Tour, ousting Johnny Griffin in the first set of the true, double elimination final, 6-5. Espinosa endured a tough, 46-player field, at the inaugural event at Banana’s Billiards in San Antonio, taking home a coveted first place for his efforts.
On April 9th-10th, 2022, Banana’s Billiards in San Antonio, Texas, along with title sponsor Poison by Predator Cues, sponsors Predator Cues, Alamo Billiards, Outsville Billiards, and Team Straight Pool Eye, facilitated a successful 9-ball event for players in and around the San Antonio area. This was the first Poison Lone Star Event ever held at the legendary pool room, drawing 46 players with a $6,320 payout. Banana’s provided 8, 8’ Diamond tables for tournament play, in a smoke-free atmosphere, while Predator sponsored the Arcos II ball sets used on each table, along with Accu-Racks for discussion-free racking, sponsored by Outsville Billiards. The Tour would like to thank Banana’s owners, Connie Turner and Rick Moreno, and staff, for their hospitality, and for hosting a first-rate event.
In the open 9-ball tournament, winners’ side final eight, Jon Giles sent Johnny Griffin to the west side, 6-4, while Justin Espinosa shutout Robert Perez, 6-0. Newcomer, Greg Medina, ousted local favorite, Albert Luna, 6-2, and Rudy Sanchez took down Mark Nanashee, 6-3. In the following round, Espinosa overcame Giles, 6-4, while Medina upset Sanchez, 6-4. Hot seat action witnessed Espinosa squeeze by Medina, 6-5. Down to the final eight players in the event, on the one-loss side, Luna eliminated Nanashee, 5-3, and Chris Morris racked up five wins, but was dealt a final loss at the hands of Griffin, 5-2. Luna faltered to Giles, and Griffin eliminated Sanchez, by the same score, 5-3.
Griffin forged ahead, dusting off Giles and Medina, 5-4, to reach Espinosa. The final round pitted two players shooting for their first title. With Espinosa and Griffin, it was game for game, until Justin pulled ahead to win the hill game, 6-5. Congratulations to Justin Espinosa on a hard-fought victory, and his first Tour title.
The Tour would like to welcome all the new players who attended this event and invite them back at every opportunity. Also, congratulations to Brian Murphy who scored a highly sought after, Predator BK Rush Break Cue with sport wrap, in the weekend raffle.
The next event will feature amateur and open 9-ball divisions and will be held June 4th-5th at Slick Willies Family Pool Hall, 5913 Westheimer Road, in Houston, Texas.
For more information about the Poison Lone Star Billiards Tour, visit www.LoneStarBilliardsTour.com.
Open Payouts – Total $ $6,320
1st Justin Espinosa $1,000 / $1,350
2nd Johnny Griffin $700 / $900
3rd Greg Medina $430 / $600
4th Jon Giles $200 / $400
5th-6th Rudy Sanchez, Albert Luna $100 / $200
7th-8th Mark Nanashee / Chris Morris $40